Enhanced antibacterial efficacy of biocompatible Ag-doped ZnO/AgO/TiO2 nanocomposites against multiresistant bacteria

Rafael O. Trevisan; Jerusa M. Oliveira; Hugo F. Perini; Ulisses Travaglini; Thaís K. de L. Rezende; Francisco R.A. dos Santos; Luciana R. de S. Floresta; Ana L.S. Borges; Leticia C. Ruiz; Leonardo E. de A. e Silva; Juliane Z. Marinho; Fernanda M. Fonseca; Carlo J.F. de Oliveira; Virmondes R. Júnior; Marcos V. da Silva; Lucas Anhezini; Anielle Christine A. Silva

Next Materials (Apr 2025)

Enhanced antibacterial efficacy of biocompatible Ag-doped ZnO/AgO/TiO2 nanocomposites against multiresistant bacteria

Rafael O. Trevisan,
Jerusa M. Oliveira,
Hugo F. Perini,
Ulisses Travaglini,
Thaís K. de L. Rezende,
Francisco R.A. dos Santos,
Luciana R. de S. Floresta,
Ana L.S. Borges,
Leticia C. Ruiz,
Leonardo E. de A. e Silva,
Juliane Z. Marinho,
Fernanda M. Fonseca,
Carlo J.F. de Oliveira,
Virmondes R. Júnior,
Marcos V. da Silva,
Lucas Anhezini,
Anielle Christine A. Silva

Affiliations

Rafael O. Trevisan: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Strategic Materials Laboratory, Physics Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
Jerusa M. Oliveira: Strategic Materials Laboratory, Physics Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil; Laboratory of in vivo Toxicity Analysis and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil; Corresponding authors at: Strategic Materials Laboratory, Physics Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.
Hugo F. Perini: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Ulisses Travaglini: Strategic Materials Laboratory, Physics Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil; Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
Thaís K. de L. Rezende: Strategic Materials Laboratory, Physics Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil; Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
Francisco R.A. dos Santos: Strategic Materials Laboratory, Physics Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil; Laboratory of in vivo Toxicity Analysis and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
Luciana R. de S. Floresta: Strategic Materials Laboratory, Physics Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil; Laboratory of in vivo Toxicity Analysis and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
Ana L.S. Borges: Strategic Materials Laboratory, Physics Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil; Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
Leticia C. Ruiz: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Leonardo E. de A. e Silva: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Juliane Z. Marinho: Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil
Fernanda M. Fonseca: Department of Biomedicine, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Carlo J.F. de Oliveira: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Virmondes R. Júnior: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Marcos V. da Silva: Department of Immunology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Lucas Anhezini: Laboratory of in vivo Toxicity Analysis and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil
Anielle Christine A. Silva: Strategic Materials Laboratory, Physics Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil; Rede Nordeste de Biotecnologia (RENORBIO), Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil; Corresponding authors at: Strategic Materials Laboratory, Physics Institute, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 7
p. 100447

Abstract

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Nanoparticles with bactericidal properties offer significant advantages, and their integration with other nanomaterials can further enhance these benefits. This study investigates the synergistic effects of Ag-doped ZnO/AgO (ZnAg) nanocomposites combined with TiO2 nanocrystals (NCs) as antibacterial agents while assessing their in vitro and in vivo nanotoxicity. Three distinct compositions (25Ti/75ZnAg, 50Ti/50ZnAg, and 75Ti/25ZnAg) were evaluated for their combined effects. Characterization through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the successful synthesis of nanocomposites with well-dispersed NCs in the desired ratios. Morphological analysis revealed spherical TiO2 NCs, rod- and plate-shaped Ag-doped ZnO, and spherical AgO particles. The 50Ti/50ZnAg nanocomposite exhibited superior photocatalytic activity in degrading methylene blue (MB) compared to pure ZnAg and TiO2. In nanotoxicology assessments, except Ag-doped ZnO, the nanocomposites demonstrated good biocompatibility with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) at concentrations below 100 µg/mL. In Drosophila melanogaster assays, no toxic effects were observed at lower concentrations. Additionally, the nanocomposites effectively inhibited bacterial growth, particularly against antibiotic-resistant strains such as MRSA and KPC, by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disrupting bacterial biofilm formation. Ti/ZnAg nanocomposites exhibited enhanced photocatalytic properties, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial activity, particularly against antibiotic-resistant strains.

Published in Next Materials

ISSN: 2949-8228 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology
Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/next-materials

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